The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey - Book Two of The Fifth Wave

Buckle your seatbelts because this book is a ride! The Infinite Sea continues where The Fifth Wave left off and the storyline is just as gripping as the first book. Yancey is incredibly crafty with mind twists, horrific alien technology, and suspense. Beware if you are a reader who has children--this book will keep you up at night--both because you can't stop reading it and the events are haunting. I recommend this to readers who like action, suspense, survival stories, mystery, and a dash of science fiction. Warning: You cannot put this one down. And then you have to wait for book three...

The One by Kiera Cass - The Selection, Book #3

I loved the excitement of this book, a continuation of Kiera Cass's Selection series. There are only 4 Elite ladies remaining in the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart and become his princess. America Singer is feeling less sure of herself than ever, thanks to the king's belittling comments and ongoing misunderstandings with Maxon. The action really picks up with the added complexity of rebel attacks on the palace and the castes of the Elite. The One provides a satisfying conclusion for fans of the series; it may have even been my favorite of the three books. 

Space Case by Stuart Gibbs

This book is the first in what appears to be a new series by Belly Up author Stuart Gibbs: the Moon Base Alpha series. Living on the moon is actually pretty boring for 12-year-old Dashiell Gibson until he uncovers a murder at the base and is ordered by the base commander to stop investigating--or else. This fast-paced, sci-fi mystery unfolds over the course of just a few days and definitely kept my attention. I recommend it to readers who like mystery, space travel, action, humor, and futuristic stories. I will definitely be booktalking this title in my classroom after winter break! 

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

I loved everything everything about this book. It has been compared to TFIOS, and while its fans will most likely enjoy this story, it is also unique in its own right. Eighteen-year-old Madeline Whittier only knows the sterile, contained environment inside her home because she is allergic to the world due to a rare immune disease called SCID. The only two people that Madeline has regular contact with are her mother and her nurse, Carla. Until the day Olly moves in next door--and Madeline's entire world changes. The characters in this book are so likable and relatable; they will linger with readers long after the last page. I adored this book and recommend it to readers who like books about relationships, taking chances, fighting illness, and exploring independence. As mentioned, fans of TFIOS, E&P, and If I Stay will likely fall in love with this book.  

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Artists and those who appreciate art will fall in love with this book--the author's description and use of metaphor is nothing short of stunning. Her talent makes me both appreciative and extremely envious. The book tells the story of twins Jude and Noah, who are so close when the story opens that they are known as JudeandNoah. However, in the span of three years, tragedy and misunderstanding build an unfathomable wall between the two siblings. The story skillfully alternates point of view and time periods between Jude and Noah, and the years when they are 13 and 16 years old. I recommend this book to sophisticated readers who have knowledge or appreciation of art/artists, and who enjoy reading about relationships--both within a family and with the people in life whom we are destined to meet, and as a result, feel like family. 

The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

No one is safe after the fourth wave of attacks by the Others, even though the children who have been taken into custody are repeatedly told, "You are perfectly safe." In this fast-paced, intense sci-fi thriller, teenager Cassie Sullivan is on a mission to find her little brother Sammy. Her last image of Sammy is of him waving happily from the back window of a schoolbus, which was taking him to safety. Or so she thought.
This is an action-packed survival story that will keep readers up late into the night. It has strong, interesting female and male main characters that will appeal to readers. I recommend this book to readers who like action, adventure, survival stories, and a little bit of science fiction. This book would be a great start into the sci-fi genre since it seems very realistic--especially for those who believe that we are not the only intelligent life in this galaxy. 

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

The language of this book is truly rhythmic and melodic, like a skilled basketball player on the court. The author's talent with choosing just the right words that ring true is evident in this story of twin brothers, Josh and Jordan, who are basketball stars. The story is written in verse, which appeals to many readers. This story is about family, brotherhood, relationships, and of course...basketball. I recommend this to readers who like sports/basketball, books in verse, and stories about family relationships. 

Get Real: What Kind of World Are You Buying? by Mara Rockliff

This book is geared toward young readers, but it gives them a ton to think about without "talking down" to kids in a preachy manner. The chapters focus on topics such as consumerism, where our food and clothing comes from, the global impact of how we spend our money, and how to make better (from a green/sustainability aspect) choices. I learned a great deal by reading this, and there are many other sources referenced that I'd also like to peruse. I recommend this book to students who would like to make a difference in the world. Anyone who wants to make a positive difference in the world, or who is not afraid to question the mainstream way of doing things, would really enjoy this book. 

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Alex is a regular guy who wants his mom to stop nagging him about how many hours he plays video games. When his parents and little sister leave him home alone for the weekend, Alex is planning for the best weekend ever. Until disaster strikes--a supervolcano erupts and the world as Alex knows it ceases to exist. This fast-paced survival story will capture the interest of many readers, but I highly recommend it for upper middle school boys who like a lot of action and aren't afraid of some gory violence. (Honestly, for some of my students, the promise of a little gore pulls them in). I also LOVED Darla, a character who is nowhere near a "damsel in distress" (Hurray for strong female characters). Although the book's thick size may be daunting for some readers, a solid book talk with a read-aloud teaser will hook teens into this engaging trilogy series. I can't wait to read books #2 and #3.  

Summer (Book) Lovin'

The reality is hitting hard with the upcoming turn of the calendar page this weekend. My days of leisure are winding down to a bittersweet end. With "Back to School" mocking me from nearly every store aisle, it is time to do some math and determine how much time I have left to take on the rest of my summer reading stack. Sigh... I do love teaching--I really do. I'm just horrible at transitions. 

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson

(No spoilers here). This is book #2 in The Remnant Chronicles and the continuation of Lia's story, which began in The Kiss of Deception (Book #1). I was eagerly anticipating this sequel and for the most part, it did not disappoint. There were a few places in the story where I would begin to zone out and then BAM! another plot twist. It was very well done. Since I am not a frequent fan of the fantasy genre, the ancient texts and the meaning behind all of it was a little much. Yet, for fans of the genre, I think it is expected and not heavy. This book is definitely a must-read for fans of the first book; I highly recommend the series to fantasy fans, particularly those who enjoy royalty in a medieval type of fantasy world, or readers who like The False Prince series. Readers who do not typically enjoy fantasy novels may also really like this series. Simply put: It's too good not to like. 

How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon

Magoon’s novel is an incredibly engrossing book that presents the many angles of a complicated issue. The tragic death of an unarmed black male teen at the hands of an adult white male brings about questions, confusion, and misinterpretation about what actually happened and how it went down. The writing is genuine and not preachy; the characters have strong individual voices and are absolutely believable. Due to recent events, this book may help students explore their own feelings about racial inequalities and discrimination in our country. I recommend this book to readers who are interested in racial issues and enjoy stories that take place in urban settings with topics related to community, gang activity, violence, and poverty. Although the characters will appeal to both male and female readers, I especially recommend this book to teen males who may not enjoy reading for leisure. 

Your Food is Fooling You by David Kessler

This food was grossly fascinating to me. It is considered a Young Adult adaptation of The End of Overeating. It basically reveals how food companies and restaurants design food to make it so irresistible that we cannot stop eating it. The addictive combination of sugar, salt, and fat retrain our brains so that we are driven to crave these foods, yet never feel satisfied after eating them. The most disgusting part was when the author talked about additives called “binders” that are put into processed food to make it “dissolve” in our mouths and easy to swallow. These additives make us eat more, crave more, want more, and buy more. I could not tear myself away—it was like reading a real-life horror movie. I recommend this book to readers who like informational books about nutrition, our food supply, and perhaps even conspiracy theories. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—all food is definitely not created equal.

We Were Here by Matt de la Pena

Thanks to a fabulous recommendation by a colleague (shout-out, PTB), I learned about Matt de la Pena’s work. This is the kind of book that you keep thinking about after you have finished it. The characters seem so real and are incredibly well-crafted and developed. Once I got into this book, it completely pulled me under and I didn’t come up for air until the very end. The main character, Miguel, is traveling down the California coast to Mexico after breaking out of a juvie group home with unlikely companions Mong and Rondell Law (I find it funny that his last name is Law, but he is in juvie for getting in trouble with the law and really follows his own law). The story follows Miguel’s journey and adventures while he comes to terms with his past. Give this book to hesitant male readers, especially (but not limited to), boys with Latino heritage, and start them off with some read alouds. I recommend this book to readers who like stories about adventure, friendship, and family/brothers. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—for the right reader, this book could be life-changing.

Bluefish by Pat Schmatz

This is the start of my Teen Lit Con book binge. In preparation for TLC Twin Cities, I’ve tried to read as many featured authors as possible. Not only is this book a fantastic, well-written young adult book—it should be required reading for every teacher. Travis thinks of himself as a “bluefish,” the dumb-looking blue fish from Suess’s One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish book. Both of Travis’s parents are dead and he lives with his alcoholic grandpa. As if things weren’t bad enough, Travis’s dog runs away and he has to move to a new town—and away from the woods he’s known most of his life. At his new school, he meets Velveeta, who is facing loss of her own. Travis and Velveeta become friends and begin to help each other survive daily life in high school, but each is keeping their own secrets. Through their friendship and with a little kindness from observant adults, Travis and Velveeta find their way. I recommend this book to readers who like to read about lost parents, death/grieving, alcoholism, school struggles, and friendship. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—Travis and Velveeta are characters you want to cheer for and find out all of their secrets.

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

Jill is a teenage girl who is grieving the death of her dad. He was the parent who really understood her—her “mirror” as she calls him. Now Jill and her mom are trying to move forward without the person they love most. And then Jill’s mom drops a bombshell on her: she’s decided to adopt a baby. 

Mandy is a pregnant teen who is hoping to start a new life for herself and her unborn baby. Mandy wants to give her baby the life and home that she’s always dreamed of, but she doesn’t know how to make it happen. When Mandy connects with Jill’s mom, Robin, through an open adoption website, it seems like the perfect solution. But everything gets complicated when Mandy moves in with Jill and Robin during the last few weeks of her pregnancy, and Mandy’s secrets from the past are discovered. I recommend this book to readers who like to read about family issues, death/grieving, teen pregnancy, and relationships. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—it grabbed my heart and wouldn’t let go. The characters are both realistic and likable; I had to know what would happen to Mandy and Jill. 

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

This book was the greatest. My young, Black male students seek authentic stories with a voice they can relate to, and Reynolds’ book about an admirable character dealing with the real struggles of growing up in an urban neighborhood, family issues, friendship and brotherhood is exceptional. When Ali finds himself at a high school party with his friends Noodles and Needles, he can’t believe they actually got in the door. But Ali’s excitement turns to dread and fear as the events of the evening threaten to change everything for him. As a result, Ali is forced to acknowledge what it really takes to stand up for family and to defend our own. I recommend this book to readers who like realistic problems, urban/inner city settings, friendship complications, fights and brotherhood. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—it is fast-paced and characters are well-defined. I can’t wait to share this book.

Lovetorn by Kavita Daswani

I loved reading about Shalini and her adjustment to life in the U.S. after moving to Los Angeles, California, from India. Not only does Shalini have the regular worries of any high schooler in a new place—finding friends, fitting in, navigating a new school—she needs to learn an entire culture (American) and maintain her long-distance relationship with her fiance, Vikram, back in India. Shalini has been engaged to Vikram since she was 3 years old; little did she know that she would have the chance to move to the U.S. and develop a serious crush on an American boy. Shalini becomes torn between her old love and new possibilities. I recommend this book to readers who like to read about other cultures, being the new girl, fitting in, as well as family issues. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—it was a quick, enjoyable read that will appeal to many teen readers. 

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

The writing in this book was so beautiful; I never wanted it to end and the storytelling talent of this author is beyond compare. Woodson shares the story of her youth in free verse that conveys so much emotion in its compact format. The story follows the author and her family from her birthplace in Columbus, Ohio, to Greenville, South Carolina, and eventually Brooklyn, New York, during the 1960s and 1970s. This brown girl never stopped dreaming, and it makes her story incredible, unforgettable, and amazing. I recommend this book to readers who like stories about family, personal identity, Civil Rights, and books in verse. If I could, I would give this book 10 out of 5 stars—it is one of my very favorites and I truly loved this book.